Circle Asks all Customers to Convert to USD, Releases New Bitcoin-Free Ad!

[MicroGuy]

This is the new screen that users get when logging into their accounts today. Notice the "Stay with Bitcoin" button is nearly invisible. I wonder if this is their answer to the block size debate?



And the following is a video released yesterday that makes no mention whatsoever of Bitcoin. The example uses an email address, not a bitcoin address.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ojmQoesKS4

Seems they could be joining the ranks of Square Cash, Venmo and a host of other identical services. Maybe they decided to hedge their bets until the bitcoin core team can pull their heads out of their asses?

[knight22]

Not surprising. Circle's target audience is mainstream and mainstream Joe does not care about speculating on bitcoin. That might change during the next bull market though 

[MicroGuy]

Reddit speculation >>>

Not surprising. Circle's target audience is mainstream and mainstream Joe does not care about speculating on bitcoin. That might change during the next bull market though  

Yes, but this looks like a possible first-step move away from Bitcoin. Hopefully, that's not the case.

[stuff0577]

Reddit speculation >>>

Not surprising. Circle's target audience is mainstream and mainstream Joe does not care about speculating on bitcoin. That might change during the next bull market though  

Yes, but this looks like a possible first-step move away from Bitcoin. Hopefully, that's not the case.

Maybe not. I think they are just trying to expand what they can offer. 

[knight22]

Reddit speculation >>>

Not surprising. Circle's target audience is mainstream and mainstream Joe does not care about speculating on bitcoin. That might change during the next bull market though  

Yes, but this looks like a possible first-step move away from Bitcoin. Hopefully, that's not the case.

Jeremy Allaire made it clear that Circle is meant as a transaction system using bitcoin as a vehicle just like bitreserve. It's still good enough they give choice to the consumers if they want to stay in bitcoin. They also use the blockchain and send fees to miners which is a good thing. He also recognized that bitcoin needs to have a speculator base to give it value for it to function (replying to the question if bitcoin can be separated from the blockchain).

I'm fine with this.

[MicroGuy]

This is looking really bad. They've also revamped their home page.

https://www.circle.com/en

Now you have to scroll way down the page to find any mention of Bitcoin at all.

[knight22]

This is looking really bad. They've also revamped their home page.

https://www.circle.com/en

Now you have to scroll way down the page to find any mention of Bitcoin at all.

Good. Mainstream does not have a very good opinion on bitcoin so that's a well putted marketing Trojan horse.

[billyjoeallen]

BULLSHIT!  This could be Circle's way of buying all the bitcoin in all the circle wallets at current low prices.

They are just competing with Coinbase, who gives away $80 worth of bitcoin (to to new wallet and $75 referral) for a $100 purchase.

The debit card thing is amazing. It's totally fucking free. Let's see Venmo do that.

[BitcoinNewsMagazine]

Jeez louise, just click the button to stay with bitcoin. Is that so hard?

[coinplus]

Jeez louise, just click the button to stay with bitcoin. Is that so hard?

Yes it's hard. I just do not like that option. In my opinion everybody looking for bitcoin and traders buy or sell bitcoins for USD or vice versa. So, asking for converting it's so hard from a bitcoin start up. Circle now seems like a not a bitcoin service. They need to support bitcoin community at least by showing some love towards bitcoin.

[pumawolf]

when bitcoin goes mainstream, people wont even know they are using bitcoins. there will be so many 3rd party  links ,people will be more focus on if the company can do what it says it can do , rather than what bitcoin can do. and of course company will just use btc ,while the customer could careless how they get the job done.   this might be the only way btc will ever make it .
 

[Kakmakr]

I think there was some people who were asking for this type of integration, where Bitcoin is the underlying network and based on the fiat currency as the interface to the customer. The customer will not make any judgement based on the tainted background of Bitcoin, they just use a service that works.

Why is it so important for people to know that they using Bitcoin? If more of them use the technology, we all benefit from it anyway. 

[NorrisK]

I think there was some people who were asking for this type of integration, where Bitcoin is the underlying network and based on the fiat currency as the interface to the customer. The customer will not make any judgement based on the tainted background of Bitcoin, they just use a service that works.

Why is it so important for people to know that they using Bitcoin? If more of them use the technology, we all benefit from it anyway. 

Indeed. And on top of that, people are still using bitcoin, even if they are seeing USD in their accounts. Wonder how they take care of the volatility. Is your usd balance constantly changing?

[MicroGuy]

Circle appears to be distancing itself from Bitcoin. And I see nothing to support the notion that they're using blockchain technology for user to user transfers. The move looks more like the first step in a transition to a new business model. Yesterday, in a blog post, the company mentions adding "further currencies", suggesting that bitcoin is no longer going to be the focus.

This could turn out to be the worst news of the year for Bitcoin. If the bitcoin core team can't get its act together, we may see more companies making similar moves. I don't see how bitcoin can possibly remain competitive when its software is stuck in 2009 mode.

[maokoto]

Too bad, a step backward for mainstream adoption. For now, you can still "stay with bitcoin", but seems it will be a forced exit later...

[Lauda]

This is looking really bad. They've also revamped their home page.

https://www.circle.com/en
Now you have to scroll way down the page to find any mention of Bitcoin at all.

This is a lie and you're spreading false information and propaganda. This is the first thing that I see when I open that link:

[StevenS]

This is a lie and you're spreading false information and propaganda. This is the first thing that I see when I open that link:

You must have a different cookie or something. This is what I get:

[mallard]

Now you have to scroll way down the page to find any mention of Bitcoin at all.

I see it right at the top.


edit: sorry, didn't see Lauda's post.

You must have a different cookie or something. This is what I get:

Even when I browse with Incognito mode I still see BTC.
Maybe it's a country thing?

[unholycactus]

Now you have to scroll way down the page to find any mention of Bitcoin at all.

I see it right at the top.


edit: sorry, didn't see Lauda's post.

You must have a different cookie or something. This is what I get:

Even when I browse with Incognito mode I still see BTC.
Maybe it's a country thing?

Canada and I see Bitcoin right away. Seems to be the same for other countries with proxies. Haven't tried a US one.

[MicroGuy]

Today, Circle has ended all instant ACH bitcoin purchases. In the past, you could buy bitcoins instantly with checking.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/3m2d8u/circle_paused_all_deposits_and_withdrawals_922923/

They've also apparently decided to reduce bitcoin sending/selling limits according to a redditor who commented on the above link.



I'm not very excited to find out which axe they decide to drop tomorrow. The people saying all of this is good news are delusional.